Plastic closure members for champagne bottles



March 20, 1962 A. PANCRAZI PLASTIC CLOSURE MEMBERS FOR CHAMPAGNE BOTTLES I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec.

INVENTOR. ALEX PA/vcmz/ BY 132% v 0 rrdmvfws tats This invention relates generally to bottle closures, and is especially concerned with reusable closures adapted to withstand substantial pressure from within a bottle.

While the device of the present invention has been primarily developed for use in conjunction with conventional champagne bottles, and will be illustrated and described hereinafter with particular reference thereto, it is appreciated that the teachings of the present invention are capable of many varied applications, all of which are intended to be comprehended herein.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a bottle closure which is highly effective as a prime seal, neat and attractive in appearance, and which can be quickly and easily applied to and removed from its clos ing relation with a bottle.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bottle closure of the type described which is capable of use and repeated reuse, by simple manual operation, without the need for special skill, or tools.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bottle closure having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs which is extremely simple in structure, durable and reliable in operation, and capable of economic mass production for sale and use at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view showing a bottle closure of the present invention apart from a bottle;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view showing the bottle closure of FIGURE 1 in closing relation with a bottle, the lower part of the bottle being broken away to conserve drawing space;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially along the line 3--3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view, partly in section showing a slightly modified form of bottle closure of the present invention in closing relation with a bottle neck;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional elevational view showing the closure of FIGURE 4 being removed from the bottle;

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view, partly in section showing another embodiment of bottle closure constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, in closing relation with respect to a bottle; and

FIGURE 7 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing the closure of FIGURE 6 being removed from its closing relation with a bottle.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and more specifically to FIGURES 13 thereof, a bottle neck is there generally designated 1%, and extends upwardly, terminating in an upwardly facing annular surface or mouth 11. Formed integral with and extending circumferentially about the bottle neck 10 contiguous to the mouth 11 is a bead 12 of outwardly convex, generally semicircular configuration. Spaced below the head 12, the bottle neck 10 is provided with an integral, circum- 3,025,990 Patented Mar. 20, 1982 ice ferentially extending external shoulder 13. The shoulder may be formed by an arcuate, downwardly and outwardly flaring external surface 14, which intersects with a generally fiat radially outwardly extending, annular surface 15. The annular surface 15 defines the downwardly facing, underside of the shoulder 13.

The bottle construction described hereinbefore is conventional in champagne bottles, and is shown for purposes of illustration, without limiting intent.

In FIGURE 1 is shown a bottle closure of the present invention, generally designated 20, apart from a bottle. The bottle closure 20 is shown in closing relation with respect to the bottle neck 10 in FIGURES 2 and 3. The closure 20 is preferably integrally fabricated of resilient plastic, such as polyethylene or the like, and includes a top portion or head 21 adapted to seat on the upper end or mouth 11 of the bottle neck It). An integral plug or insert 22 depends centrally from the underside of the head 21, entering downward through the mouth 11 into snug conforming engagement within the bottle neck. The insert or plug 22 is interiorly hollow, as at 23, the hollow or bore 23 opening downward into the bottle neck 10 and extending upward into and terminating short of the upper end of the head 21. By reason of the elongate interior hollow or bore 23, the insert or plug 22 is of generally tubular configuration and adapted to receive gas under pressure from the body of the bottle.

Depending integrally from the head 21, at circumferentially spaced locations thereabout, are a plurality of flexible, elongate elements 25. The elongate elements 25 depend from the head 21 outward of the bead 12 and downward beyond the shoulder 13. A generally circular, open band 26 extends circumferentially about the bottle neck 10 and is integrally joined at spaced locations to the lower ends of depending elements 25. The open band 26 includes a pair of end portions 27 and 28 adapted to overlap and provide with mating fastener elements, such as a button or protuberance 29 on the end 27, and a socket or opening 39 on the end 28 adapted to releasably receive the button. The band 26 is provided with an annular, generally horizontal upwardly facing surface 31, and has its inner surface 32 undercut to slope or flare downwardly and outwardly.

If desired, an external integral bead 33 may be provided about the head 21, and the depending elements 25 extended vertically upward to meet the bead 33, so that the head 33 and elements 25 combine to simulate the Wirework of a conventional champagne-bottle closure.

In the closed condition of FIGURES 2 and 3, it is seen that the band 26 is suspended by the depending elements 25 and the undersurface of the head 21 is held firmly seated on the mouth 11 by means of the depending elements and the band. That is, the depending elements 25 and band 26 combine to define means for holding the head in its bottle-closing condition. The band 26 has its upper surface 31 in abutting engagement with the underside 15 of the shoulder 13; and, the band is connected to the head 21 by the elements 25, so that the head may not be removed unless the band is opened, as by disengagement of the fastener elements 29 and 30. Further, the fluid pressure interiorly of the hollow 23 serves to distend the Walls of the tubular insert 22 forcibly against the internal surface of the bottle neck, to more effectively seal the bottle.

After the closure 2% has been removed by opening the band 26 and withdrawing the insert 22 from the bottle neck, it may be quickly and easily replaced by simple reversal of this procedure. That is, reinsertion of the insert into the bottle neck, and fastening of the ends of band 26 with the band in the above-described abutting engagement with the shoulder 13.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 4 and 5, there is shown a bottle neck 10a which may be identical to the bottle neck 10 of FIGURES 13, and a modified form of closure 20a. The closure 20a is also preferably fabricated of flexible resilient material, such as polyethylene plastic, and includes an upper part or head 21a seated on the bottle mouth 11a, and a hollow tubular insert or plug 22a depending centrally from the head interiorly of the bottle neck. The interior 23a of the insert 22a opens downward into the bottle 10a, and has its upper end closed in the head 21a.

Depending from the head 21a, outward of and below the bottle bead 12a are a plurality of circumferentially arranged elements 25a. The depending elements 25a are arranged closely together about the entire circumference of the head 21a, each adjacent pair of depending elements being spaced apart by a downwardly opening slot 35. Hence, the depending elements 25a may be considered as a circumferential skirt interrupted at a plurality of circumferentially spaced locations by the slots 35. It will be noted that the depending elements 25a terminate at their lower ends vertically spaced between the bead 12a and shoulder 13a. The depending elements 25a are integral with the head 21a and each connected to the head by a reduced portion 36, which affords flexibility to the depending elements for swinging movement of the latter relative to the head, as between the positions of FIG- URES 4 and 5. The inner surface of each depending ele ment 25a is arcuately concave, as at 37, for conforming, embracing engagement with the adjacent portion of bead 2a upon inward swinging movement, of the depending element; and, below the concave inner-surface portion 37, the inner surface of the depending element flares downward and outward, as at 38. Provided exteriorly on the skirt defined by the plurality of depending elements 25a are external screw threads 39. The screw threads 39 are, of course, interrupted by the slots 35.

Circumposed about the bottle neck 10 is an annular member or band 26a having'its lower edge provided with an internal annular flange 31a. The upper internal region of band 26a is provided with internal screw threads configured for threaded engagement with the screw threads 39. In the closed condition of FIGURE 4, it is apparent that the depending elements 25a are swung inward to embracingly engage the bead 12a; and, that the band 26a is circumposed about and in threaded engagement with the depending elements, while the internal flange 31 of the band abuttingly engages the undersurface of the shoulder 13a. Thus, the flange 31a is drawn tightly up against the shoulder 13a, and the depending elements 25a are positively maintained in embracing engagement with the bead 12a.

In order to remove the closure 20:: from its closed condition, it is only necessary to unscrew the band 26a, moving the latter vertically-downward out of threaded engagement with the depending elements 25a, and out of abutting engagement with the shoulder 13a. As seen in FIGURE the band 26a is entirely released from the remainder of the closure, and the head 21a has been drawn partially upward or outward, the depending elements 25a flexing freely outward to ride over the bead 12a and permit withdrawal of the closure; Of course, the closure may be resealed by reinsertion of the plug 22a, and upward screwing action of the band 26a about the depending elements 25a and into abutting engagement with the shoulder 13a.

Another slightly modified embodiment is shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, wherein a closure, generally designated 20b is provided on a bottle neck b. The bottle neck may be substantially identical to that of the hereinbefore described embodiments.

The closure 20b is also preferably fabricated of polyethylene plastic, or material having similar resilient characteristics, and includes a head 21b seated on the upper end or mouth 11b of the bottle neck. A tubular insert or plug 22b depends centrally from the head 21b into the bottle neck 10b, and is provided with an internal hollow or bore 23b opening downward into the bottle and extending upward to a closed end in the head 21b.

Depending from the head 21b exteriorly about the bead 12b is a skirt element 25b which has its lower edge extending below the underside of shoulder 13b. The lower region of the skirt element 25b, adjacent to the shoulder 13b, is interrupted by a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots 35b, to define between each adjacent pair of slots a depending finger element 40. Extending interiorly about the lower-edge region of the skirt element 25b, and specifically about the interior of the lower ends of the finger elements 40, is an internal lip or flange 3715, which, is of course, interrupted by the slots 3517. Exten'orly of the depending skirt element 25b are provided screw threads 39b.

An annular element or band 26b is circumposed about the depending skirt element 25b, and configured for threaded engagement therewith so as to move vertically along the depending skirt element between the lower posi tion of FIGURE 6 and upper position of FIGURE 7.

In the lower position of FIGURE 6, it will be observed that the band 26b retains the flexible depending finger elements 40 inward, with the internal flange 37b in abutting engagement with the underside of shoulder 13b. Thus, the closure 2% is positively retained in closed condition on the bottle neck 10b.

In order to open the bottle and remove the closure 2%, it is only necessary to screw the band 26b upward, to the position shown in FIGURE 7, whereupon the depending finger elements 40 may be swung outward from their abutting engagement with the underside of shoulder 13b to release the closure for withdrawal from the bottle neck. Replacement of the closure is accomplished by mere reversal of this procedure, namely insertion of the plug 221? to seat the head 21b on the mouth 11!), and downward screwing of the cap 26b to retain the depending finger elements 40 inward with the flange 37b abutting the underside of the shoulder 13b.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a bottle closure which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical con ditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A closure for the mouth of a bottle neck having an external bead about the mouth and an external shoulder about the neck spaced below the bead, said closure comprising a head conformably engageable on said mouth, and holding means depending from said head and extending circumferentially about said neck, said holding means being formed with internal upwardly facing flange means for releasable abutting engagement with the underside of said shoulder to removably retain said head in position on said month, said holding means comprising a plurality of flexible elements depending from said head at spaced locations thereabout, and an annular band carried by said depending elements, said internal flange means being formed on said band for removable abutting engagement with the underside of said shoulder.

2. A closure according to claim 1, said band being open, and fastener means on said band for releasably closing the latter in said abutting engagement.

3. A closure according to claim 1, said flexible depending elements being configured for engagement with the undeside of said bead, said band being removably circumposed about and in threaded engagement with said depending elements for retaining the latter in engagement with said bead and holding said head firmly on said mouth.

4. A closure for the mouth of a bottle neck having an external bead about the mouth and an external shoulder about the neck spaced below the bead, said closure comprising a head conformably engageable on said mouth, and holding means depending from said head and extending circumferentially about said neck, said holding means being formed with internal upwardly facing flange means for releasable abutting engagement with the underside of said shoulder to removably retain said head in position on said mouth, said holding means comprising a plurality of flexible elements depending from said head at spaced locations thereabout, said internal flange means being formed on said depending elements for abutting engagement with the underside of said shoulder, and an annular band removably circumposed about and in threaded engagement with said depending elements for retaining the latter in engagement with said shoulder to hold said head firmly on said mouth.

5. A closure for the mouth of a bottle neck having an external bead about the mouth and an external shoulder about the neck spaced below the bead, said closure comprising an insert engageable in the bottle neck, a head on the insert engageable over the bottle mouth, and holding means connected to said head and depending therefrom, said holding means comprising internal upwardly facing flange means for releasable abutting engagement with the underside of said shoulder to removably retain said insert and head in position on said bottle neck, a plurality of flexible elements depending from said head at spaced locations thereabout, and an annular band carried by said depending elements, said internal flange means being formed on said band for releasable abutting engagement with the undeside of said shoulder.

6. A closure according to claim 5, said insert being hollow and opening downward into said neck for receiving fluid pressure to increase sealing action of said insert in said neck.

7. A closure according to claim 5, said depending elements being configured for abutting engagement with the underside of said bead, and said band being removably circumposed about and in threaded engagement with said depending elements for retaining the latter in engagement with said bead to hold said head and insert firmly on said bottle neck.

8. A closure according to claim 7, said insert being hollow and opening downward into said neck for receiving fluid pressure to increase sealing action of said insert in said neck.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,873,038 Schnier et a1 Feb. 10, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 10,611 Great Britain May 4, 1912 

